New method of landing ships

markus54 · Dec 2, 2017

I was outdoors the other day and heard a jet in the sky. I looked up and saw that it was going to land at the local airport. This plane was approaching the airport horizontally. Why can't you make our ships do the same thing. What I suggest is that for those of us using a hotas, that from the center position to half way forward the ship decreases altitude horizontally. From the half way position to all the way forward we nose dive. This would be a much better approach to landing than the nose dive method we currently have to endure.
Also the scarab has a huge problem. When going at a speed that is greater than 10 the steering gets uncontrollably wild. The same thing happens when you are being shot at. Also why are there so many hostile bases? I am tired of getting wanted and shot at. I like when I go into a base and everything is smooth sailing.
As you push forward to the halfway point allows you to decrease altitude more quickly.
Thanks

Ranek Eisenkralle · Dec 3, 2017

Well I am using a HOTAS and land my vessels just the way you describe - it is just a matter of getting the controls right. Takes a bit of experimentation, but once done it makes docking even big ships like the Beluga pretty easy.
As for the scarab: that's been like this for as long as I can remember. It largely depends on a planet's gravity though. I found it useful to drive with deployed cargo scoop which limits maximum speed.

damon8r351 · Dec 3, 2017

This method already exists and is especially easy to do on Lakon-built spacecraft because you can look down between your feet while you fly straight ahead while engaging vertical thrust gradually to set yourself down. In other spacecraft, it takes a bit of familiarity with stations because you fly blind under your feet.

And in any case, landing this way is only an affectation. For the sake of style. The only reason modern aircraft land this way is because lift is supplied by air flowing over the wings. No air flow over the wings, no lift, and you drop like a rock. It's irrelevant in space, and for aircraft with VTOL capabilities, like helicopters, Harriers, and Ospreys.

space voyager · Dec 3, 2017

I land more or less horizontally with all ships. Naturally, that last few meters of height are vertical, but no nose dive.

SMcA · Dec 3, 2017

markus54 said:
I was outdoors the other day and heard a jet in the sky. I looked up and saw that it was going to land at the local airport. This plane was approaching the airport horizontally. Why can't you make our ships do the same thing.

Gravity?

Remember on Earth, gravity is pulling the plane down and the pilot is ballancing that with the lift from the wings and flaps.

Iskariot · Dec 3, 2017

markus54 said:
I was outdoors the other day and heard a jet in the sky. I looked up and saw that it was going to land at the local airport. This plane was approaching the airport horizontally. Why can't you make our ships do the same thing. What I suggest is that for those of us using a hotas, that from the center position to half way forward the ship decreases altitude horizontally. From the half way position to all the way forward we nose dive. This would be a much better approach to landing than the nose dive method we currently have to endure.

I must be missing something.
You can approach the landing pad any way you want, which includes backwards, vertically, horizontally, zigzagging, upside down etc. etc.
Of course on planets flying upside down with your strongest thrusters pointing the wrong way is not advised, but nevertheless you can do it.

Most of the time I approach my planetary pads more or less like a plane, at a low angle. Nothing is preventing me from doing so.
You must be coming in too steep if you can't do that.

Also the scarab has a huge problem. When going at a speed that is greater than 10 the steering gets uncontrollably wild.

It depends on the type of surface, the slipperiness, the bumpiness and the gravity.
If you want to race all the time then you will have to accept the consequences.
I would advise learning to let your SRV jump and float over the surface.

The same thing happens when you are being shot at.

Avoid getting shot at.

Also why are there so many hostile bases? I am tired of getting wanted and shot at.

Not everybody likes you on their property. You should respect their privacy.

I like when I go into a base and everything is smooth sailing.

Basically you want a boring game.

metatheurgist · Dec 3, 2017

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/392849-Change-in-landing-method

Post was not that interesting that it needed repeating.

Iskariot · Dec 3, 2017

metatheurgist said:
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/392849-Change-in-landing-method

Post was not that interesting that it needed repeating.

Obviously OP felt it was that interesting.

Thelan · Dec 3, 2017

Iskariot said:
You can approach the landing pad any way you want, which includes backwards, vertically, horizontally, zigzagging, upside down etc. etc.
Of course on planets flying upside down with your strongest thrusters pointing the wrong way is not advised, but nevertheless you can do it.

Most of the time I approach my planetary pads more or less like a plane, at a low angle. Nothing is preventing me from doing so.
You must be coming in too steep if you can't do that.

This.

varonica · Dec 4, 2017

SMcA said:
Gravity?
Remember on Earth, gravity is pulling the plane down and the pilot is ballancing that with the lift from the wings and flaps.

Yes, the only reason we actually have airports with long runways is because if planes tried to land vertically they would go BOOM!

Airports are huge, expensive to maintain, take up valuable real estate and cause a lot of noise and irritation for locals living near them, that's why since air flight first started people have been trying to perfect VTOL for passenger aircraft, hence helicopters. No runway needed, can land near their destination using only tiny pad, can come in high enough to avoid annoying people on the ground, they just don't carry enough people or have the range or speed required for commercial transport. Believe me if we could perfect VTOL for large passenger aircraft that would be the moment most airports get ripped up and replaced by local landing pads.

We only do it that way because we don't have the technology to do it any other way, yet.

GJ51 · Dec 4, 2017

Drive the SRV with FA OFF

markus54 · Jan 26, 2018

Ranek Eisenkralle said:
Well I am using a HOTAS and land my vessels just the way you describe - it is just a matter of getting the controls right. Takes a bit of experimentation, but once done it makes docking even big ships like the Beluga pretty easy.
As for the scarab: that's been like this for as long as I can remember. It largely depends on a planet's gravity though. I found it useful to drive with deployed cargo scoop which limits maximum speed.

There is no possible way that you can land in this game horizontally. If your landing on a planet there is a device that pops up when you reach a certain altitude. If you have 0 then you are flying tangent to the curve of the planet and you are not going to land. Otherwise, your ships nose has to point downward. Even if you are at 5 degrees the nose of your ship has to point towards the planet in order to land. I have experimented with different approaches but it is not the same as I am describing above.
Above I am talking about the plane being flat, like you would fly to something in space, but dropping in altitude.

SMcA · Jan 26, 2018

markus54 said:
There is no possible way that you can land in this game horizontally.

Interesting thought. Have you tried landing on a medium to high gravity moon?
Using a HOTAS with the vertical thrusters bound to an analogue input helps. Takes a bit of practice, though.